Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/80908
Jessica A Simple Statement for Everyday CRANLEY Jessica Cranley admits it: She may be a clothes addict. It started young, when as a child, she would change her outfit up to 10 times a day, thriving on the newness of each ensemble. At 13, she started sewing her own clothes, seeking more variety than sibling hand- me-downs offered. And it continued after high school, when she spent a year at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago before opting to travel the world, fervently soaking up all the fashion she could find. It's no surprise that today, at 28, Cranley's varied career path has led her to become a full-time designer of her own line, Jessica Catherine Designs. In 2009, Cranley leapt at the chance to premiere two separate clothing lines at Wisconsin Fashion Weekâone line of dresses, and another collection of one-piece rompers designed with Madison's bicycle-commuting women in mind. After the show, her designs were picked up by a local boutique. "We sold every single one of our rompers and almost all of the dresses," she says, beaming. The praise continued when two of her wedding gown designs were featured in Chicago Scene magazine. Today, from her home-based studio on the near west side, Cranley is throwing her energy into managing ready-to-wear designs, which are set to be on the racks at Madison-area boutique Zip-Dang. She is also expanding her reach through Etsy.com, an Age 2 Refuses to wear the Christ- mas dress her mother bought her because she didn't want stripes. "My poor mother!" Age 1.5 Begins changing clothes multiple times a day. 40 BRAVA Magazine September 2012 Age 13 After much begging, Cranley's mother sews her a one-of-a-kind top. From that day on, Cranley teaches herself to sew. Age 17 The family moves from Fond du Lac to Madison. Other than her clothes, the only thing Cranley brings is her sewing machine. Age 19 Enrolls at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.